HC Deb 17 October 1939 vol 352 cc690-3
Mr. Attlee

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make in regard to recent air raids over the United Kingdom?

The Prime Minister

The House will wish to have an account of the series of air raids which took place in the Firth of Forth area yesterday afternoon in the light of the information now available. The air raid was carried out by 12 or possibly more aircraft, in waves of two or three at a time. Two civilians were slightly injured by shell fragments: damage to civilian property was negligible. Naval casualties were caused on His Majesty's Ships "Southampton," "Edinburgh" and "Mohawk."

I deeply regret to say that altogether three officers and 13 ratings were killed or died of wounds: that two officers were slightly injured: that 11 ratings were seriously injured and 31 slightly injured. The damage to His Majesty's Ship "Southampton" and His Majesty's Ship "Edinburgh" was slight, and both vessels are ready for sea. The damage to His Majesty's Ship "Mohawk" is superficial. The enemy were at once engaged by our fighter squadrons and by anti-aircraft fire. Four enemy bombers were brought down, of which one was shot down by gun fire. In addition a number of other enemy aircraft were heavily engaged and some of these may not have been able to reach home.

As the attack was local and appeared to be developing only on a small scale, and as our defences were fully ready, it was not considered appropriate in this particular instance to issue an air-raid warning which would have caused dislocation and inconvenience over a wide area. The responsibility for issuing airraid warnings must be left to the competent authorities, but the circumstances in which warnings should be issued will be carefully reviewed in the light of the experience gained.

At 10.30 a.m. to-day an air raid took place on Scapa Flow. The attack was made by about four machines. Two bombs fell very near His Majesty's Ship "Iron Duke" and the ship sustained certain damage. No casualties occurred. His Majesty's Ship "Iron Duke" is an old battleship which, it will be recollected, was demilitarised under the London Naval Treaty of 1930, and had all her armour removed. She has since been used for depot and training ship purposes. One aircraft was shot down in flames by the fire of either ship or shore guns, and another probably damaged.

Mr. Attlee

Has the Prime Minister any statement to make regarding reports of air raids over the Yorkshire coast?

The Prime Minister

I do not think there have been any such raids.

Mr, Pethick-Lawrence

While recognising the undesirability of sounding the sirens over a wide area can the Prime Minister say why in the limited area of Edinburgh itself air raid warnings were not given?

The Prime Minister

I have endeavoured to explain why they were not given. It was because the anti-air-raid guns and fighter aircraft were all ready for action. But, as I said, the circumstances will be considered, and the whole question of air-raid warnings reviewed in the light of our experience.

Mr. Mathers

Can the Prime Minister say why a train was allowed on the Forth Bridge, which was obviously an object of attack, during the time the air raids were in progress? Is anything going to be done to prevent that sort of thing happening in future? May I also ask whether, in the consideration which is being given to the facts arising out of this air raid, the request which has been made for some time by the South Queens-ferry Town Council to have that burgh looked upon as an area which should be evacuated will receive more serious consideration than has been given to it up to the present?

The Prime Minister

I must wait first to hear all the circumstances in which trains were permitted to cross the bridge, but, of course, that matter will be taken into consideration. As to the other question, I should like to have notice of it.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

Would the Prime Minister state whether the Service Ministers themselves are satisfied, in view of this raid, that the air-raid defences in that part of the country, the fighter machines and the anti-aircraft guns, are sufficient to protect the Scottish capital?

The Prime Minister

I should have thought that the results which I have mentioned indicated that the defences were in a highly satisfactory state.

Mr. Boothby

Can my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that the failure to give an air-raid warning in Edinburgh and the surrounding districts, which was greatly appreciated by the inhabitants, was a deliberate act of policy and not due to any confusion?

The Prime Minister

I do not know of any confusion.

Mr. Buchanan

In the course of his answer the Prime Minister said that the question of air-raid warnings was one for the competent authority. In view of the fact that there is some concern in this matter, will he kindly inform us who the competent authority is who decides these matters?

The Prime Minister

The Fighter Command.

Commander Locker-Lampson

Is it not the case that a great many of the casualties were due to people coming out into the streets to look?

The Prime Minister

There were only two civilian casualties.

Sir H. Williams

Can the Prime Minister state whether the machine that was brought down in flames fell in an evacuation area or a reception area?

Mr. McGovern

It would be well received anyway.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Prime Minister aware of the fact that in the case of North Queensferry, which is under the north end of the Forth Bridge, a recommendation was made by Fife County Council that the children should be evacuated, and will he see, after this experience, that the matter is taken up, for the people of North Queensferry are feeling very concerned?